LIVE UPDATES: No. 1 Georgia 13, Kentucky 12 - FINAL
LEXINGTON, Kent. — It’s SEC football for Georgia today in Lexington as the Bulldogs take on the Wildcats of Kentucky. While Kirby Smart has his team off to a 2-0 start with a couple of non-conference wins (Clemson, 34-3 W / Tennessee Tech, 48-3 W), it’s been a mixed bag of results for Mark Stoops as his squad won its opener before falling against an SEC foe last Saturday.
“I have immense respect for Mark (Stoops). He and I have grown to be really good friends. He’s one of the best in the business. He’s done a tremendous job at Kentucky over the time he’s been there. His teams are always very disciplined, very physical,” Smart said about Stoops and the Wildcats this week. “That’s a really tough place to play. When you go there, as you can see from every time we’ve played there, it’s been really tough. A lot of excitement playing an SEC opponent on the road. I think we know around this place how hard that can be. You get an opportunity to play at night on the road, and you know the environment is going to be really loud. We’ve got to prepare for a tough, really physical game, which is that way every time we play Kentucky.”
Despite the ending of the SEC’s East and West divisions, Georgia and Kentucky continue a series that has seen the Dawgs and Cats meet every year since 1956 with several matchups in the years before dating back to 1939. All time, UGA owns a big advantage in the series (63-12-2) with 14 straight wins to its name. That’s true both in Athens (32-4-2) and in Lexington (31-8).
Last season, the Bulldogs handed the Wildcats, ranked No. 20 at the time, a 51-13 loss at Sanford Stadium on the back of four passing touchdowns from Carson Beck and a fast start from the UGA offense. Brock Bowers passed AJ Green for second all-time in career receiving touchdowns with his 24th score, part of a 132-yard night for the star tight end, as Georgia rolled to victory.
You can throw all that out the window today though as nothing more matters than the two teams taking the field today and how they play between the white lines for 60 minutes. Georgia enters Lexington winners of 41 straight regular season contests, second-longest all time behind Oklahoma of the 1950s, and listed as a 23.5-point favorite over Kentucky.
Emptying the Notebook: Behind the season on the Bulldogs as they ready for Kentucky
Major Matchups: Georgia at Kentucky
What we learned this week ahead of Georgia-Kentucky
Georgia-Kentucky Q&A: Previewing the Wildcats with Nick Roush
Injury Update: What to make of UGA availability report
Kirby Smart’s squad ready for tough test in Lexington
Georgia-Kentucky: Three Keys to a Bulldog Victory
Bulldogs ready for familiar face, former Georgia QB Brock Vandagriff
THOMBS: Both sides of Georgia, Jamon Dumas-Johnson separation better off for it
How to Watch, Listen and Stream
Kickoff Time: 7:30 p.m. ET
TV: ABC (Sean McDonough – Play by Play, Greg McElroy – Color Commentator, Molly McGrath – Sideline Reporter)
Streaming: WatchESPN/ESPN+ (For more info, click here)
National Radio: Touchdown Radio (Gino Toretta and Brett Dolan) / Local Radio (listed below): Georgia Bulldog Sports Network (Scott Howard, Eric Zeier and D.J. Shockley) / Satellite Radio: Sirius (84), National Sirius (381)
For local radio information and a full list of Georgia Bulldog Sports Network affiliates, click here.
STREAM | LISTEN | STATS
As always, there’s one more way to keep up with the goings on in this game. In the space below, DawgsHQ will be providing live updates, scores, highlights and news from before and during the game. Just use the refresh button on your browser to see those updates as they roll in.
Fourth Quarter
*** Vandagriff completes short and time will run out. Georgia wins this one 13-12. (UGA 13-12 FINAL)
*** Game clock is reset to 3 seconds, and Kentucky will spike it.
*** Vandagriff completes and Kentucky will have one last play. Time remaining is undetermined. Going to review for that, but the clock will start on the official’s whistle regardless.
*** Touchback and Kentucky will have it at their 20 with 9 seconds to go.
*** Beck tries to draw Kentucky offsides. It doesn’t work and the Dawgs take a delay of game. Brett Thorson will punt with 18 seconds to go.
*** Georgia picks up 4 yards and will have 4th and 4. 18 seconds to go after the Bulldogs call a timeout. Offense coming onto the field.
*** Beck keeps and picks up seven. Kentucky calls its final timeout with 1:04 to go and Georgia facing a 3rd and 9.
*** Georgia going to be called for an illegal block in the back. It’s a 10-yard penalty from the spot of the foul and sets up a 2nd and 15 with 1:09 to go. Game clock starts on the snap.
*** Etienne carries. Kentucky calls timeout, the Wildcats’ second. Will be 2nd and 7 with 1:16 to go.
*** Indeed it was a fumble, and it’s a break for the Bulldogs. Smith recovers past the first down marker, giving Georgia a fresh set of downs with 1:40 to go.
*** Beck completes to Oscar Delp out of the backfield. It’ll be 3rd and less than a yard after a review. Delp fumbled. It was recovered by Arian Smith. Looks like they’re reviewing the spot.
*** Beck completes downfield for a gain of 33 to Dominic Lovett. That gets Georgia out to midfield. A 2-yard run, and we’re at the two minute timeout.
*** Timeout Kentucky with 2:53 to go. First for the Wildcats. Georgia ran it for one yard on the previous play, facing 2nd and 9 now.
*** Anthony Evans fields it after a fair catch. Penalty backed Kentucky up five yards from its original spot, but Georgia will take over at its own 15 with 2:58 to go.
*** Georgia pressures Vandagriff and forces a couple of incompletions. Kentucky punt team coming on facing 4th and 7 from the UGA47. 3:03 to go.
*** There’s another Kentucky first down, now right at midfield. Fresh set of downs with under 4:00 to go.
*** Back to back plays go for good gains. Vandagriff picks up 10 on a scramble before Sumo-Karngbaye rips off 8 to midfield.
*** Georgia was going to get off the field with a three-and-out but a holding on Malaki Starks in the secondary keeps the Kentucky drive alive.
*** Georgia goes three-and-out with a second down fumble. Exchange between Carson Beck and Etienne wasn’t clean. Kentucky takes over at its 16 with 6:25 to go.
*** Brock Vandagriff‘s third down attempt falls incomplete. Alex Raynor comes on and makes from 51 yards out. That would’ve been a career-long for the Kentucky kicker coming into tonight. He also has a 55-yard make to his name in this game. (UGA 13-12 8:01 4Q)
*** Georgia defensive line gets into the backfield on 3rd and 1 but the Bulldogs cant make the tackle. Demie Sumo-Karngbaye picks it up and keeps the Kentucky drive alive as the clock winds under 9:00.
*** Kentucky moves it into Georgia territory with a third down completion to Barion Brown. Play picked up 13 yards, second play of 10+ on the drive for the Wildcats.
*** Branson Robinson punches it in on 3rd and 2 from 3 yards out. Georgia’s first touchdown of the day gives the Dawgs the lead with 12:20 to go in regulation. (UGA 13-9 12:20 4Q)
*** Georgia picks up a 3rd and 1 as Trevor Etienne just barely steps out at the UK 11. Play picks up 11, and almost UGA’s first touchdown.
Third Quarter
*** Etienne touches it on three straight plays, resulting in a pair of first downs and an 8-yard pickup. Georgia will have a 2nd and 2 at the UK 29 when play resumes. (UK 9-6 END 3Q)
*** Etienne picks up a 3rd and 2 with a 12 yard rush into Kentucky territory.
*** Julian Humphrey with a diving effort and a pass breakup to force a three-and-out, Georgia’s first forced one tonight. Bulldogs take over at their 32 after the punt is fair caught by Anthony Evans.
*** Wildcats hold strong with a tackle for loss on Frazier and pressure on Beck on 3rd and 9. Georgia settles for a Peyton Woodring field goal, made from 30 yards out. (UK 9-6 3:52 3Q)
*** Beck finds Colbie Young for a pickup of 13 to convert on 3rd and 4. Nice back shoulder ball to the Miami transfer. UGA inside the Kentucky 10 after a carry from Frazier.
*** Beck completion to Bell picks up 20. Next play, Georgia is inside the UK 30 thanks to a completion to Oscar Delp.
*** Trevor Etienne in the game after Kirby Smart mentioned a shoulder injury for him ahead of halftime.
*** Carson Beck misses Dillon Bell deep. Next play, he finds Dominic Lovett though for a gain of 33 yards. First time tonight the offense has advanced into Kentucky territory.
*** Nate Frazier in for the first play of the second half. Not sure he’s been in tonight.
*** Georgia forcing a field goal attempt, stopping Demie Sumo-Karngbaye short of the line to gain. Cats go 61 yards in 11 plays taking 5:52 off the clock before a 40-yard make from Alex Raynor. (UK 9-3 9:03 3Q)
*** Wildcats move into Georgia territory in five plays. Three first downs, two of them thanks to the ground game.
*** Georgia will kickoff to get the second half underway. Kentucky has it moving left to right on your screen.
Second Quarter
*** UGA offense takes a knee and will head into the locker room with its fewest first-half yards (63) in the Kirby Smart era. Kirby Smart tells TV the Bulldogs have been challenged up front and haven’t handled that well. Kentucky will receive the opening kick of the second half. (UK 6-3 HALF)
*** Georgia calls for a timeout, and Kentucky returns to the field with its field goal unit. 32-yard field goal is good and puts the Wildcats ahead with 5 seconds remaining before the break. (UK 6-3 0:05 2Q)
*** Wildcats convert and call their last timeout with 9 seconds to go at the UGA 14. Time for a shot to the end zone and field goal, but they can’t get brought down in bounds.
*** A Sumo-Karngbaye run sets up a fourth third down of this drive. Will be 3rd and 1 after the Kentucky timeout. 15 seconds to go at the UGA 22.
*** Georgia pressures and forces a throw away. Ingram-Dawkins down and being attended to by trainers. Looked like he was grabbing his right knee, but he’s walking off under his own power.
*** Three 3rd down conversions so far on this drive by Kentucky. Latest comes after Vandagriff scrambles for a 4-yard gain.
*** Demie Sumo-Karngbaye doing a good job getting Kentucky into Georgia territory. Daylen Everette forced a fumble on the latest rush from him, but Kentucky recovers. Two minute timeout. Will be 2nd and 6 Wildcats at the midfield when play resumes.
*** Georgia nearly turns it over twice and will settle for a field goal attempt. Takeaway turns into a tie game as Peyton Woodring makes from 34 yards out. (TIE 3-3 3:48 2Q)
*** Another sack, this time by Raylen Wilson, forces a fumble. Damon Wilson recovers, and Georgia will take over with its best field position at the Kentucky 23.
*** Ingram-Dawkins comes up with a sack, his second tackle for loss on the drive.
*** Dan Jackson flies across the field for a nice pass breakup on a first down incompletion. Tyrion Ingram Dawkins then came up with a tackle for loss, but Brock Vandagriff scrambles for a gain of 15 and a conversion on 3rd and 13.
*** Review overturns the completion. Kentucky still gets the 15 yards from the penalty to the UK44.
*** Another costly penalty moves Kentucky into Georgia territory. Hands to the fane on Jamaal Jarrett adds 15 yards on to a 15-yard completion. That play is being reviewed, and if it stands, the Wildcats will have it at the UGA 41.
*** On the field, Jalon Walker is called for an unnecessary roughness call after hitting Brock Vandagriff on a third down incompletion. Penalty will keep the drive alive on 3rd and 4 and move Kentucky off its goal line.
*** Ratledge being carted to the locker room. TV says it’s a left ankle/knee, and he has been declared out.
*** Thorson’s punt goes out of bounds inside the Kentucky 10. Wildcats will take over at their 8.
*** After review, pass is called incomplete. Georgia avoids disaster yet again and will have an opportunity to punt.
*** Carson Beck‘s pass to Dominic Lovett bounces up and is intercepted by Zion Childress. Kentucky defender takes it 55 yards to the house for a pick-six. First touchdown scored against Georgia this season. It’ll get another look.
*** Tate Ratledge being treated by trainers on the field. He’s helped off by the staff with what looks like some sort of left leg injury. Will be 2nd and 7 at the UGA 48 when play resumes.
*** Dominic Lovett with one heck of a catch off the ball tipped by a Kentucky linebacker. Converts a 3rd and 2 with a gain of 15.
*** Kentucky coverts on one third down but a nice tackle by Julian Humphrey on a second gets Georgia off the field. Bulldogs will take over at their 22-yard line after the punt, still trying to pass midfield for the first time in this game.
*** Thorson punt sails for a touchback. His third punt of the game. He entered this game having punted just four times in two games.
*** Georgia lines up looking like it’ll go for it, but the Bulldogs only try to draw Kentucky offsides. It fails, and Brett Thorson is on to punt instead after the delay of game.
First Quarter
*** Beck completes to Colbie Young for a gain of seven on 3rd and 8. Kirby Smart will let the first quarter end and think about this decision as UGA possesses at its own 47. (UK 3-0 END 1Q)
*** Georgia has moved the chains once so far but will face 3rd and long.
*** Alex Raynor, a Georgia Southern transfer who is second all-time in NCAA career points, makes a Kentucky school-record 55-yarder. That puts the Wildcats on the board first. (UK 3-0 2:45 2Q)
*** Daylen Everette nearly comes up with an interception on a Vandagriff overthrow. Third down stop shortly after will bring on Kentucky’s kicking unit from 55 yards.
*** Facemask penalty on Kentucky backs the Wildcats up and puts them in 1st and 25.
*** Vandagriff comes out firing and completes to Barion Brown. Play picks up 18 yards to the UGA33.
*** Kentucky takes over just shy of midfield after a TV timeout. Give credit for the Wildcats for a) getting off their own goal line last possession and b) holding their own defensively. That flip in field position has put Georgia in a tough spot so far.
*** Snap is low to Beck. He recovers and throws incomplete to Etienne. Georgia escapes disaster but will punt out of its own end zone.
*** Georgia takes over at its own 13 and is quickly facing a third and long. Plays by Etienne and Dominic Lovett both either lose yardage or go for no gain. Timeout Kentucky before a 3rd and 15 from the UGA8.
*** Gabe Harris forces a fumble on 3rd and 7. Loose ball recovered by Kentucky, but the Wildcats will be forced to punt.
*** Vandagriff completes across the field for a gain of 10 yards on 3rd and 8. Gets Kentucky across midfield and keeps the Wildcat drive alive.
*** Xzavier McLeod makes his debut in the defensive line rotation and records a tackle on one of his first plays. That’s certainly a welcomed return up front.
*** Georgia appeared to get off the field thanks to a Nazir Stackhouse tackle on a scrambling Vandagriff but a holding penalty in coverage by Damon Wilson gives Kentucky a fresh set of downs.
*** Brock Vandagriff takes off for a big gain after dropping back into his end zone. Gain of 17 gets Kentucky out to its 22.
*** Kentucky called for a pair of penalties on the punt. A hold goes against the Wildcats during the play with an unsportsmanlike conduct after. UK backed up to its own 1 yard line after Brett Thorson‘s punt goes out of bounds at the 4.
*** Georgia drive ends in a punt. Carson Beck starts 0-2 with incompletions to Dillon Bell and Oscar Delp. Looked like there could’ve been pass interference called on the Delp play.
*** Kickoff sails for a touchback. Georgia quickly moves the chains with a couple of handoffs to Etienne.
*** Kentucky wins the toss and defers its decision. Georgia will receive and start the game going left to right on your screen.
*** Captains for Georgia: RB Trevor Etienne, LB Smael Mondon, OL Tate Ratledge, DB Malaki Starks
Pregame
*** McLeod was working with the second group for defensive linemen. Looks like he’s in the two-deep for that group tonight and will made his Georgia debut.
*** Harris has been a VERY limited participant in pregame warmups. When Georgia went 7-on-7 and 11-on-11, Demello Jones was the cornerback opposite of Ellis Robinson. As expected, Daylen Everette and Julian Humphrey with the first group.
*** McLeod is among the nine defensive linemen that made the trip. Gabe Harris would make it 10, although he spent his entire warmup session with the outside linebackers. For a full look at the travel roster: CLICK HERE.
*** Can confirm the reports of Daniel Harris making the trip. He is on the field and going through drills with the defensive backs during the early stages of pregame warmups.
*** No major changes on the pregame availability report from the SEC. Defensive lineman Xzavier McLeod (undisclosed) is listed as a game time decision, indicating he made the trip with the team. He has not been seen on the field yet, but that’s something we’ll keep an eye on with number of available Bulldogs up front somewhat limited.
*** Gates have opened and aside from students assembling for front row seats, most of the first few fans through seem to be in red and black. Home crowd has tailgates to hang around at, but I would expect there to be a good number of Georgia fans in attendance tonight.
*** According to the stadium clock, this game will officially get underway at 7:44 p.m. ET. Should allow a little bit extra time for lightning delayed Texas A&M-Florida to finish up.
*** For a look at the Georgia depth chart shared on the press box flip cards: CLICK HERE
